For many retro gamers, the Nintendo Entertainment System was where our love of role-playing games (RPGs) began. After beating Super Mario Bros or zapping ducks in Duck Hunt, we dove into fantasy quests with swords, spells, and stat points. This NES RPG games list ranks the top 10 titles that defined 8-bit adventure.
Below is our ranked list of the top NES RPGs of all time
This NES RPG games list features expert rankings of the top 10 role-playing games released on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Each title is reviewed for its story, gameplay, legacy, and RPG mechanics. Whether you're a collector or revisiting retro adventures, these NES RPGs still hold up today.
All the NES RPG games considered for the list are only NTSC "North America" NES versions of the games.
For the Record: I’ve included The Legend of Zelda on the list. Yes, I know it's more action/adventure, but it's my blog—and Zelda ROCKS!
The Table of Contents
The Guardian Legend - Released in 1988
The Guardian Legend is one of the more unique massive role-playing adventure you will play on the NES and the setting of the game is 
a huge region for it.
What might otherwise be looked at as a straight sci-fi shooter is transformed into an action RPG due to the plentiful lore that underscores your every action. You are The Guardian, a technological marvel that has infiltrated NAJU – a massive spaceship that has been boarded by aliens.
In the game, The Guardian starts in human form as you explore about 11 dungeons that are similar to Zelda. When you move through the many corridors, she transforms into a powerful spaceship.
You’ll have to kill loads of monsters and minibosses and collect plenty of power ups which include fireballs, lasers and even entire screen-filling Enemy Erasers that obliterate everyone on screen.
Fantastic music, exciting action, and an enjoyable storyline—it’s a wonderful game! This is a slam dunk by developer Broderbund.
Dragon Warrior IV - Released in 1992
adventures and fight, similar to D&D.
Dragon Warrior IV was one of the games that broke this mold. While it may not have the deepest story compared to today's complex RPGs, it was groundbreaking when it was first released.
You had to earn the right to save the world by completing a few easy missions which introduced your party. There was Ragnar, a soldier who was roaming the world desperate to find where missing children from his land had gone to.
There was Alena, a warrior who wanted to prove her mettle against the toughest challenges. And then there were Mara and Nara, sisters who were seeking revenge after their father was killed. Like other games in the Dragon Warrior series, combat is short and frequent, and you must visit a lot of different towns and locations on your quest.
After you fight in some tough battles, you should visit an inn. You need to rest and buy new equipment. This will help you face stronger enemies. In the final chapter of the game, you are only allowed to control your game while the computer will take control of your alli.
Dragon Warrior made the top 100 best NES games coming in at #39. Here is the full list from IGN.
Faxanadu - Released in 1987
Faxanadu is a spin-off of the Dragon Slayer series. It starts with a hero without a name who comes back home after a great adventure. 
Immediately upon your arrival, the inhabitants start telling you how bad things have been since you were away.
The Elves and Dwarves have turned on each other because the Evil One transformed the Dwarves into monsters and now everyone’s fighting everyone. You just can’t catch a break, and of course, you are the one who has to fix all this.
The action in the game is standard side-scrolling fare, with an interesting twist – there is no levelling. Instead, you will be able to buy better equipment as you progress through the game. With a good 6-7 hours of playtime,
Faxanadu provides good entertainment, even if the password system for continues may not be ideal for everyone.
Good graphics, monster slaying and a lengthy story. What is there to dislike?
StarTropics - Released in 1990
StarTropics is a solid game that follows the Zelda style. It tells the story of Mike Jones, a teenager who gets caught up in an alien 
invasion. He must stop the villain Zoda from destroying the earth.
Like most Zelda games, StarTropics has an overworld focused on exploration. You move around the world and talk to different characters.
When you enter dungeons, the action gets going. Mike uses a yo-yo which can later be upgraded to a flail, Castlevania style. Dungeons also contain special items like slingshots, torches and baseball bats that you can use to clobber your enemies.
It has a cool visual style and the music is decent enough to keep you interested all through the eight chapters in the game.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance - Released in 1988
Pool of Radiance is a large role-playing game from the early days of gaming. It is based on the Dungeons & Dragons system. This video 
game has a lot of lore and history. It's great for players who enjoy learning about every detail of the world they are exploring.
It creates a vivid setting for your adventure in the world of Moonsea. You learn the background story and how you and your group arrived at the start of the game. More lore and backstory are delivered through NPC conversations and entries in your journal.
One of the best aspects of this game was the way in which the game world changes according to your interactions with it. If you clear an area, it stays cleared. If you kill the monsters that have taken over the river, even the map will change to reflect your progress.
Once you’ve made alliances with the nomadic tribes in the wilderness, they no longer bother you on your quest. During this time, games usually kept things simple. Most of them moved you quickly through the quests so you wouldn't have to go back to see how areas had changed.
Character creation allowed a decent set of customizations, adding the ability to tweak your appearance slightly. But really, the best part of this classic game is the enemy encounters and combat. You always have multiple options in combat scenarios – kill the man chained to the dungeon wall, or let him live?
All the enemies in the game have unique strengths and weaknesses. Reading the game manual can make battling them more enjoyable.
Dragon Warrior II - Released in 1987
Dragon Warrior II or Dragon Quest II gets one of the most central aspects of RPG games right – good writing. Square Enix created an 
absorbing narrative with this one, and the resultant game is plenty of fun to play.
You are the heir to the throne, a descendant of King Erdrick the Great. Now, you need to save the kingdom of Moonbroke. An evil wizard named Hargon has attacked, causing destruction and killing many members of the royal family. The story may not be very unique, but it will definitely excite a 10-year-old and make them feel part of the adventure!
This game features a vast world to explore and plenty of magical ingredients and gear to find on your way through your quest. One big improvement from the original Dragon Warrior is that you can save your game in any castle or town.
Some of the enemy encounters can be tough, but hey – nobody said saving the world was going to be easy.
Crystalis - Released in 1990
Soon as The Legend of Zelda became a cult classic, a ton of copycat games hit shelves. Most of them were terrible, but sometimes you 
manage to get a special game which replicates the formula well. That game is Crystalis.
Set in the distant future year of 1997 (yes, there was a time when 1997 was the future), Crystalis begins with a nuclear apocalypse raining down upon the earth. Slowly but surely, the survivors of this disaster are now trying to pick up the pieces and renew the human race.
Certainly, there would not be a game without one of the survivors, a wizard, going off the rails. He plans to use his magic to eliminate the remaining humans. Now, the survivors must recreate the Crystalis, a legendary weapon that can save the world.
Crystalis follows the Zelda formula closely, with lots of stabbing and combat to enjoy. There are five elemental swords that you can fight with, and the usual status effects (poison, fire, paralyze) are important key element of combat. It has great graphics for the time and an enjoyable soundtrack which really augments the epic scope of the story. Crystalis ranks #3 on Den of Geek’s best NES RPGs list, praised for its real-time combat and elemental sword system
The Legend of Zelda - Released in 1986
Probably one of the most iconic franchises in all of console gaming, The Legend of Zelda and Link began here in their epic journey 
across Hyrule. Even today, this game is still fun to play. Its enjoyable game mechanics still work well, even with the older graphics.
If you’re the kind of gamer who doesn’t like a game to spell everything out for you, The Legend of Zelda will keep you hooked all the way through to the end. There’s plenty of secrets, hidden dungeons and clues to find.
It’s primarily a game about exploration, and exploration is where it excels. Sometimes, you will face a tough dungeon boss or a strong group of enemies. Defeating them can feel very rewarding, especially after your hard work to find better loot.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the only RPG-style Zelda game on the NES. Many people find it an unusual sequel compared to the first game.
Final Fantasy - Released in 1987
Another contender for the most iconic console gaming franchises ever, the original Final Fantasy started out with a basic, by-the-numbers RPG experience. There are a few basic commands you can use. You can fight and move around on a world map. This map has different places where you can find quests and treasure.
You will frequently face random enemy battles. In these battles, you can use weapons, spells, and special items that you have collected. While most of Final Fantasy is a far cry from the elaborate, mind-blowingly gorgeous FF games of today, this was an important game.
Before full-motion video and detailed voice acting became common in games, Square and the first Final Fantasy created role-playing games (RPGs) very well. It’s still an enjoyable experience, if purely for the nostalgia and a throwback to simpler times.
Dragon Warrior III - Released in 1988
Dragon Warrior III, also known as Dragon Quest III, starts with your hero on a mission. The goal is to save the world from the demon 
Baramos. This game is considered one of the best RPGs for the NES.
Not to mention, I was a big Dragon Warrior fan back in the day. The initial stages are on par with RPG standards, making you build some experience as you learn the basics of the game. Then, the game really picks up the pace.
I was surprised to learn that Enix designed the world of Dragon Warrior 3 based on Earth. This was a nice change from the fantasy locations found in many similar games. So, you’ll find yourself journeying through locations like Romaly (Rome) or the Tower of Shanpane (Champagne, France).
The world of Dragon Warrior 3 is vast and filled with things to do. When you face the villain Baramos, you will have fought countless monsters and explored numerous dungeons, enough to please even the most enthusiastic adventurers.
This list expands on some of the Best NES Games ever made on 8-bit.
Make sure to give these games a try; not only will you enjoy them, but you'll also earn some serious gamer street cred. And when you're ready to trade in or cash out, check out our NES game selling guide for fast payouts and expert value
Honorable mentions:
- Magic of Scheherazade
- Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
- Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
- Willow
- Destiny of an Emperor
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the best NES turn-based RPG games?
- Some of the best NES turn-based RPGs include Shingen the Ruler, Nobunaga's Ambition, Nobunaga's Ambition II, L'Empereur, and Genghis Khan.
- These games focus on strategy, planning, and turn-based gameplay rooted in historical simulation.
What is the best NES RPG ever?
- Dragon Warrior III is often considered the best NES RPG ever made, thanks to its deep story, strategic combat system, and expansive world.
- It perfected the formula introduced in earlier Dragon Warrior games.
- If you're ready for even bigger adventures, don't miss our roundup of the Best SNES RPGs; where 16-bit storytelling and epic gameplay truly shine.
What are the best NES RPGs of all time?
- The best NES RPGs of all time include Dragon Warrior III, Final Fantasy, Zelda II, Crystalis, and Dragon Warrior IV.
- These titles defined the RPG genre on the Nintendo Entertainment System with memorable characters, epic stories, and innovative gameplay.
- Looking for deeper stories? Check out the Best PS2 RPGs Ranked and see how the genre evolved.
Is The Legend of Zelda considered an NES RPG?
- While The Legend of Zelda is primarily an action-adventure game, it includes RPG-like features such as exploration, stat upgrades, and dungeon progression, making it a frequent inclusion in NES RPG lists.
